The administration of the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the student representative council (SRC) have reached agreement on a fee block following two mediation sessions this week.
UCT management agreed on Wednesday to review its fee policy, and specifically apply a “fee block” in accordance with the agreement that became effective on Wednesday. The university’s financial capacity and each student’s needs will determine whether or not a fee block should be applied. The socioeconomic circumstances that affect each student will also determine the academic performance of the student.
Financial exclusions, student assessments, and accommodation concerns have yet to be resolved, so the agreement reached on Wednesday comes amid protests.
Emeritus Professor Daya Reddy, the interim vice chancellor, stated that UCT works round-the-clock to resolve the problems as soon as possible to guarantee the continuance of academic programs. UCT stated that in order to address the R45 000 “fee cap,” which was escalating the financial aid problem, management and the SRC would also work with the Department of Higher Education and Training and the National Student Financial Aid System (NSFAS).
“The SRC will keep fighting for this institution’s students. We appreciate that management brought up some of the important problems. No student will be left behind, and while we continue to fight the broader battle of fee blocks, let’s celebrate the progress that has already been done,” said Hlengiwe Lisa Dube, president of the SRC.
In his remarks as interim vice chancellor, Emeritus Professor Daya Reddy emphasised that UCT works around the clock to resolve problems as quickly as possible to ensure academic programs continue. Besides working with the Department of Higher Education and Training and the National Student Financial Aid System (NSFAS), UCT also stated that to address the R45 000 “fee cap,” which was increasing financial aid problems, it would also work with the SRC.
“Regardless of the significant problems raised by management, the Student Representative Council will continue to defend the institution’s students. We must celebrate what has already been accomplished as we fight fee blocks,” said Hlengiwe Lisa Dube, president of the Student Representative Council.